Milledge could start in left after break  —  HOUSTON — Lastings Milledge could be the Mets' leftfielder when the team returns from the All-Star break Thursday.  —  Milledge went 3-for-5 yesterday after going 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs Saturday night for Double-A Binghamton …

Andruw: Braves need another starting pitcher  —  San Diego — His teammates say they're confident that sore-shouldered ace John Smoltz will be healthy after the All-Star break, but some hope the front office is successful in pursuit of another quality starter through a trade.

Yankees Pin Their Hopes on Pitching and Patience  —  Tony Franklin has wandered the minor leagues for 38 years, watching teammates advance to the majors and teaching prospects to do the same.  He is a wise 57 years old, and these days, he carries himself with a carefree air not often seen in a manager.

Hot start spurs worries for future status  —  As last season ended, Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd determined that he wanted Kazuo Matsui back to inject speed into the top of the lineup.  An aggressive pursuit and mutual interest led Matsui to sign a one-year, $1.5 million deal with $940,000 …

Santana gets another rough road reception  —  Right-hander doesn't make it past three innings, giving up nine runs, including two home runs.  —  NEW YORK — Peter Angelos caught a lot of flak last July for his last-minute nixing of a trade that would have sent Baltimore slugger Miguel Tejada …

Hicks owns up, remains confident  —  Tom Hicks didn't want to trade Chris Young; needed "several weeks" to be talked into firing Buck Showalter; thinks the Stars "kinda quit" in the playoffs two years ago; still doesn't regret letting Kenny Rogers go; and believes "realistically, it's '09" when it comes to the Rangers' chances.

Rangers hit break with a blast  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - They have lost half their starting infield to injuries in the last month.  Their lone All-Star hasn't had an extra-base hit in more than three weeks.  They've scored four or fewer runs, usually a sure omen of defeat, nine times in the last two weeks.

MLB punishes ESPN for embargo violation  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — ESPN won't be able to allowed to broadcast its "Baseball Tonight" show live from the All-Star game in San Francisco on Tuesday night.  —  Major League Baseball limited ESPN's access this week after the cable network broke …

CUBS IN BRIEF: Piniella, Hendry seek righty bat  —  PITTSBURGH — Another rough day scoring runs, in particular against a left-hander, has the Cubs looking even a little harder at trying to add a right-handed hitter to the roster before they resume play Friday.

Florida Marlins head to All-Star break on sour note; Miguel Cabrera, Scott Olsen ailing  —  LOS ANGELES — Manager Fredi Gonzalez already knew he would be without slugger Miguel Cabrera on Sunday.  —  He wasn't counting on losing his starting pitcher as well.

Phils lend hand with tarp, top Rockies  —  Players, coaches brave elements to help grounds crew  —  DENVER — Seeing a member of the Coors Field grounds crew flung 10 feet in the air, then swallowed by a tarp was enough for the Phillies.  —  With rain and fierce winds making personal safety …

Stroke of genius  —  23 years after his death, Lau's swing lives on  —  The swing has a signature.  —  It's head down all the way through contact, because you can't hit what you can't see, he would say.  It's a weight shift from the back leg to the front, because you need to get leverage.

Buehrle to get $56 million over four years  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 19 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Mark Buehrle and the White Sox have agreed to a new contract.  —  The pitcher's deal is worth $56 million over four years.  It does not include a full no-trade clause …